Sizemore did get a shot last season and didn't really do anything with it. He is probably a good player, but I just didn't see it last season. I really like Rhymes though, he is scrappy and can pepper the ball all over for hits.

Edited by rwfan007, 19 March 2011 - 02:21 AM.

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. - General George S. Patton

Sizemore was still recovering to start the year and then it spiraled for him. He played pretty well when he got called back up from Toledo. I don't think either Rhymes or Sizemore is all that good defensively, which scares me with Peralta over at short.

Hopefully one or both of Rhymes and Sizemore comes through because Guillen certainly can't be counted on to stay healthy.

Detroit is closer to answering the question as to who will start at second base on Opening Day --- and the answer may surprise some Tigers' fans.Scott Sizemore, considered by some as the odds-on-favorite to win the job, is officially out of the running, according to Tigers officials.Outfielder Clete Thomas, catcher Max St. Pierre, and relievers Robbie Weinhardt and Fu- Te Ni were also sent to the minor leagues.Sizemore's demotion may be the biggest surprise of Tuesday morning's moves. Sizemore looked poised to reclaim his starting second base job after struggling much of last season.

Rhymes or Worth will get it. Worth's hitting has improved and defensively, Leyland likes him better than the other 2. Wouldn't be out of the realm to see him make the opening day start at 2nd either. We might have to deal one of these young outfielders that we have, though. Derks, Boesch, and Wells all look to be primed to make the big club and hopefully make some noise.

Rhymes or Worth will get it. Worth's hitting has improved and defensively, Leyland likes him better than the other 2. Wouldn't be out of the realm to see him make the opening day start at 2nd either. We might have to deal one of these young outfielders that we have, though. Derks, Boesch, and Wells all look to be primed to make the big club and hopefully make some noise.

Rhymes has been announced as the Opening Day 2B.

On Twitter: @willrhymes: Thanks for the support. I can't wait to get to Detroit and play as hard as possible every night for the fans and the city..

I'm quite surprised Weinhardt didn't make the team. He has great stuff and I thought for sure he would be a lock with Zumaya out. The bullpen scares me right now - tons of potential, but plenty of uncertainty. Benoit had one tremendous year and got overpaid, Perry can't locate pitches, Valverde broke down in the second half and Schlereth will be really good but that may still take some time.

Definitely works for me. Rhymes reminds me of myself Short 2nd baseman who can hit, shaky defense. I liked his effort when he came in and hope to see it continue into this season as that is one of the glaring parts of the lineup.

Starter Phil Coke will begin the season in the bullpen, getting his first start on April 9 in Detroit against the Kansas City Royals. Two off-days during the first week of the season necessitated somebody in the five-man rotation getting skipped the first time through.

Probably for the best that Coke gets skipped off the bat. He has been pretty shaky and it's his first go in the bigs with a starting spot. We can only hope he pans out as a solid lefty, which we have lacked for quite a few years now.

Definitely works for me. Rhymes reminds me of myself Short 2nd baseman who can hit, shaky defense. I liked his effort when he came in and hope to see it continue into this season as that is one of the glaring parts of the lineup.

He's like Brandon Inge 2.0 in that the guy just works. Real likable guy that the fans can identify with, and I'm personally happy to see him in the 2 slot. I can't imagine who we'd put there in his place.

Looking at the standings, the Tigers currently sit atop the Grapefruit league with the most wins, highest winning percentage (of course) as well as the fewest runs allowed and the second highest run differential. Impressive considering the team with the second-fewest runs allowed - Atlanta - has played 5 fewer games than the Tiges.

I heard that Avila may not start Opening Day against Sabathia due to CC being a lefty, so Martinez will catch, and Maggs will likely take over DH or either Wells/Boesch will DH or take Maggs spot in RF.

In any case, its a pretty good lineup with a Cy Young battle on the mound, should be a fantastic opening day in the Bronx.

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. - General George S. Patton

I heard that Avila may not start Opening Day against Sabathia due to CC being a lefty, so Martinez will catch, and Maggs will likely take over DH or either Wells/Boesch will DH or take Maggs spot in RF.

In any case, its a pretty good lineup with a Cy Young battle on the mound, should be a fantastic opening day in the Bronx.

I love Rhymes in the 2nd slot because he has the speed of a table-setter, whereas Raburn's bat has too much pop to be a successful second-slot guy.

Rhymes won't be in the 2 spot against a lefty like CC. Leyland hinted to put Rhymes lower in the lineup against the lefties and having Rabonez up at the 2. I honestly hope he keeps up the tear he closed the year on.

Rhymes won't be in the 2 spot against a lefty like CC. Leyland hinted to put Rhymes lower in the lineup against the lefties and having Rabonez up at the 2. I honestly hope he keeps up the tear he closed the year on.

Baseball and hockey playoffs coming. START!!!

Raburn looked really good in yesterday's game, making Wandy Rodriguez through 12 pitches in his first at bat and drawing a walk. I've softened on the idea of Raburn in the 2-slot after watching that replay.